Sonics vs. Grizzlies

Make some noise for the boys

The Memphis Grizzlies are one of the few Western Conference teams who have a won-loss record as crappy as the Sonics. So one would think that when these two lowly squads locked horns, itd make for a hard-fought scrum, right? Wrong: The Grizzlies have won all three of their matchups with the Sonics this year, by an average of 16 points. A lot of that had to do with seven-foot power forward Pau Gasol, who had 24 points on 11-of-19 shooting in Memphis 24-point blowout of the Sonics on January 18. Well, on February 1, the Grizzlies shipped Gasol to the L.A. Lakers in a mystifying trade that should make Gasols new team the odds-on favorite to win the West (Laker legend/current Memphis GM Jerry West should be investigated by the league office for paying unfair homage to his former employer) and Memphis the odds-on favorite to out-suck the Sonics for the leagues worst record. No Gasol means this game should finally be the dogfight that the teams respective records have promised. Miss it at your own peril. KeyArena, 400 First Ave. N., 684-7202, www.seattlecenter.com. $10-$160 (for normal people). 7 p.m. MIKE SEELY